Ageless Honorees - 2012
William Ball
William “Bill” Ball, 82, is a retired professor of computer science at Washington University, Bill spends his retirement exploring new interests, from genealogy to photography, videography and music.
Carolyn Beimdiek
Carolyn Beimdiek says she has an attitude to convey to people who are younger than she is — that you can make a difference if everyone does their small part.
C. Robert Bess
For more than 50 years, Bob Bess has focused on helping to make his community a better place for everyone. As a former Alderman and Mayor of Crestwood, Vice President of the Missouri Municipal League, and Trustee and Building and Streets Commissioner for Grantwood Village, Bob has brought wisdom, humor and a knack for getting things done to everything he’s tackled.
Delores Betts-Mars
After retiring from a distinguished 37-year career as the first woman and first African-American woman manager of the U.S. Postal Service in St. Louis, Delores plunged into active volunteer duty. She delivers a special brand of love to the young women she works with at Mathews-Dickey.
Mary Bruemmer
Saint Louis University has been in existence for 194 years. Mary Bruemmer has been associated with SLU for more than one-third of that time. Mary continues to volunteer at SLU at age 92, typically spending 40 or more hours each week, assisting with fundraising and various student and faculty committees.
Alice & Bill Creamer
Alice’s volunteer work ranges from St. Mary's Health Center and the St. Michael 55 Plus Club to serving as the activities director for the Shrewsburian Senior Club. Bill has been a member of the Clayton Optimist Club for over 50 years and leads many of their fundraising and grantmaking activities. Together, at age 81 and 79 respectively, Alice and Bill are living their belief that “it’s important to give more than you get.”
Herman Davis
Herman Davis began working at age 8… and he’s still going strong at 84. After retiring in 1989, Herman has devoted his time to managing several rental properties he owns, as well as serving as an elder and associated minister at Brotherly Love West Christian Assembly Church.
Augusta "Gussie" Feehan
Augusta “Gussie” Feehan has been called the maven of Clayton. At age 106, a legend might be a more appropriate description. Still living independently, Gussie exercises daily, reads constantly and has a regular table at many of the area’s best restaurants.
Dr. Norm Freiberger
After nearly four decades in private practice, this 78-year-old dentist founded the SSM St. Joseph Senior Dental Clinic in St. Charles, which he continues to lead. The Clinic’s volunteer dentists have cared for more than 15,000 low-income seniors since opening the.
Juanita Hartwig
Juanita Hartwig’s devotion and spirituality are contagious; just being around her makes you want to be a better person. A committed supporter of St. Andrew’s, Ronald McDonald House, Teen Challenge and Smile Train, among others, 83-year-old Juanita believes it’s important to give back, “however much you can.” Her volunteer efforts have included hospice duty in Florida, working in the gift shop at Brooking Park and counseling newly widowed and sick women at her church.
Bob & Mary Lee Hermann
It would be hard to name a cultural institution or community cause in which Bob and Mary Lee Hermann have not played a major role. Together, this energetic couple works tirelessly to make the St. Louis community better for all of us.
Dorothy Jane Mahaffey
Carpenter Moore
There are thousands of volunteers across our community, but few can match Dorothy Mahaffey Moore’s level of commitment. At age 91, she is still actively involved with at least 14 organizations, from arts and education to social service and animal welfare agencies.
Virginia Leitner
In her younger years, Virginia Leitner painted just as a hobby. It wasn’t until she turned age 93 that she became a dedicated artist.
Billie Mckindra Phillips
Now 87, this teacher, artist, writer, poet, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother still strives each day to bring creativity and love of learning to all around her.
Sr. Jeanne Marie Meurer, FSM
A certified nurse midwife by training, Sr. Jeanne helped open Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital in 1956, taught at Saint Louis University, worked at City Hospital, and traveled the world delivering babies and teaching.
Sr. Thelma Marie Mitchell, FSM
Sr. Thelma Mitchell has traveled the world, bringing her pediatric nursing skills to places as diverse as Africa, Brazil and Oklahoma City. Her heart, however, belongs right here in St. Louis, at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Medical Center. Having worked there in the 1960s, Sr. Thelma now spends two days a week at the hospital, volunteering to help the sick children and their families during their stressful times.
Leroy Sachs
At age 94, Leroy believes in lifelong learning. He received his PhD at age 72 and attends Road Scholar elderhostel educational programs each year. He also volunteers with three different organizations where he helps seniors with tax returns and health insurance claims.
Glenn Sheffield
At age 76, the former Mayor of Webster Groves now spends countless hours serving on volunteer boards and helping strengthen community organizations, including Opera Theatre, the Arts and Education Council, Women of Achievement and the Smith College Advisory Board. As Glenn says, “I just love being involved.”
Walter Shifrin
Walter Shifrin is the owner of Shifrin & Associates, an environmental engineering firm he started in 1988. At age 79, he remains extremely active in the business, traveling across the country to assess properties and supervise clean-up projects.
Senator Betty Sims
As a Missouri State Senator from 1995 to 2003, Betty Sims helped shape public policy in everything from education and insurance reform to housing, healthcare and eldercare. Her commitment to helping others hasn’t stopped. At age 76, she continues to serve on the boards of various local non profits.